The Chinese New Year Fell Late This Year, which meant that The 31st SpinexpoTM Shanghai had to be held two weeks later than usual, which in turn meant that five textile events were held in the same week, including Intertextile and Chic Shanghai. This unprecedented situation saw buyers juggle between several different events, resulting in a slight fall in visitor numbers. That said, as well as the regular attendees, the exhibition also attracted a number of first-time visitors.
SPINEXPOTM attracted steady visitor numbers and this situation did not impactnegatively on the event, which welcomed 10,271 visitors from 54 countries,compared with 11,457 for the 2017 Spring/Summer season and 10,696 for the2017 Autumn/Winter season. Of note is the significant increase in the numberof countries represented, which is evidence of the mobility of buyers from allcountries. The number of visitors from Japan, Taiwan and Korea remains stable.There was a steady increase in the number of visitors from Europe and thenumber of visitors from Russia and the USA was up. However, it was the Middle East and Bangladesh that posted the steepest rise, with 50 per cent more visitorsthan the 2017 Spring/Summer season. The number of visitors from countriesoutside China remains stable, but the trend in China itself is down, with8,652 visitors compared with 9,697 in 2017.
This exhibition, which was held from 13-15 March 2018 at The Shanghai World Expo Convention & Exhibition Centrewas marked by the rise in confidenceamongst Chinese consumers, the highest for 10 years,despite stagnation in the retail trade. Several Chineseexhibitors at the event, mostly exporters, are now focusingon local consumption, which is moving rapidly upmarket.New brands are being created every day and e-commercehas become an important part of daily life, in China aselsewhere.
